Evaluating the Impact of a Gottman-Based Marriage Strengthening Program on Families Adopting Children with Special Needs

Twelve married couples fostering special needs children completed a 6-month, weekly, individualized marital strengthening intervention based on Gottman's Sound Marital House model. 66% (8 couples) were located three to seven years later and interviewed about what they have found useful in that experience. The interview was semi-structured and non-directive and informed a grounded theory approach. The findings indicate that, for this sample, some curricular concepts were experienced as important. However, the findings also suggested that family science researchers and program evaluators should consider not just curricular particulars but the entire process of enrolling and participating in such a program, namely, generic therapeutic aspects of participation.